Warren Calls Bill “Unjust’, “Extreme’ and “Unchristian’

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out thanked Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, today for releasing a YouTube Statement condemning the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009″ that is currently before the Ugandan Parliament. Lisa Darden, a talent agent and filmmaker working on a film about reconciling the Christian and GLBT communities, coordinated the statement with Warren’ church.

“We applaud Rick Warren for speaking out with force and clarity on a bill that would lead to the persecution and prosecution of gay and lesbian Ugandans,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Today, Warren showed true moral courage and stood for what is right and just. We urge other leading pastors and world leaders to stand up and condemn Uganda’ Anti-Homosexuality Bill.”

In the video, Warren said he was taking “the extraordinary step of speaking to you, the pastors of Uganda and the spiritual leaders of your nation.” He unequivocally condemned the legislation as “extreme, unjust and unchristian towards homosexuals”. He also urged Ugandan pastors to “speak out against this proposed law.”

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters anti-gay propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit TruthWinsOut.org.

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To Book Wayne:

Contact: Lisa Darden,
Hope Unlimited Productions (HUP)Talent and Booking
Phone: 240-446-1554
E-Mail: ask4Darden@gmail.com

National ‘Pray Away The Gay?’ Speaking Tour Kicks Off at The University of Vermont Activist and Author Wayne Besen Available for Dynamic, Multi-Media Presentation on the ‘Ex-Gay’ Industry

NEW YORK — Author and activist Wayne Besen will kick-off a national 2009-10 speaking tour in Burlington, Sept. 25, at the University of Vermont. The multi-media presentation, “Pray Away the Gay?”, offers a unique, innovative and entertaining look behind the mask of so-called ex-gay programs. Besen is the founder of the non-profit organization Truth Wins Out and author of two books including the critically acclaimed, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth”. He is also known for photographing ex-gay poster boy John Paulk in a gay bar in Washington, DC.

“My goal is to educate people on this important topic in an exciting and memorable way,” said Besen, who has spoken at more than 100 leading universities, community organizations, business groups and religious institutions. “This new show is packed with powerful information, yet is very funny. The best entertainment allows people to learn20and laugh at the same time.”

During his hour and a half show, Besen takes the audience on a whirlwind tour of ex-gay ministry and therapy programs. Audiences will learn the history of these groups, the bizarre techniques they use and the political players that finance their efforts.

In 2006, Besen was recognized in the Advocate Magazine’s “People of the Year” issue for his work with Truth Wins Out. Besen has appeared as a guest on leading news and political talk shows including: the NBC Nightly News, CNN’s Talk Back Live and The Point, Fox’s O’Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes, MSNBC News and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Jour nal, USA Today, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and the Advocate Magazine.

Besen also has a weekly column that is published in the Falls Church News Press and more than a dozen GLBT publications. Prior to founding Truth Wins Out, Besen served as a spokesperson for five years with the Human Rights Campaign. He also worked in corporate communications for Edelman Public Relations and as a press secretary on a U.S. Senate race in Maine.

Besen can be booked for additional tour dates by contacting Lisa Darden at Hope Unlimited Productions (HUP) Talent and Booking, ask4darden@gmail.com.

www.myspace.com/HUPtalentandbooking